Renosterveld near Montagu

Big parts of the Little Karoo are covered by renosterbos, scientifically known as Elytropappus rhinocerotis.

Poor veld management over many generations may have increased the preponderance of this currently pervasive species. In veld free from game or livestock for long periods, plant diversity tends to increase, the renosterbos dying back to some extent.

But veld conditions at the onset of stock farming in the region more than two centuries ago is largely unknown. Still, this habitat has its appeal and surprises of rare plant species are common. Large game such as hartebeest and gemsbok are being reintroduced successfully.

There comes a time when every persistent alien is at home (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).